Neil Wood


Neil Anthony Wood is an English former footballer who played for Midland Football Combination Premier Division side Bolehall Swifts, where he played as a midfielder. He has now become a coach and is now the Manager of the Under-23 team of Manchester United.

Playing career

Manchester United

Wood began his career with Manchester United, as a member of the reserve team but never made a senior team appearance. During his career with United, he was loaned out to Royal Antwerp in Belgium, Peterborough United, Burnley, Coventry City and Blackpool.

Blackpool & Oldham Athletic

In 2006, Wood left Old Trafford in a transfer to Blackpool. Though later in the same year, he once again moved on a two-year contract to Oldham Athletic. After several appearances, Wood suffered a season-ending knee injury. The injury led to his release from the team.

Željezničar

In February 2008, Wood signed with Bosnian Premier League club Željezničar, but was released in July 2008. He was well accepted by the fans and became first englishman in the Bosnian Premier League.

Atherstone Town

Following his release from Željezničar, Wood returned to England, and settled down in the Tamworth area, he started training with Southern Football League Division One Central side Atherstone Town, and was offered a deal, however Wood's career with Atherstone Town never got started as he was unable to get international clearance. Wood tried in vain to get Željezničar to release his registration, but despite his efforts, Željezničar never contacted Atherstone Town with the relevant information, leaving Wood sat on the sidelines.
The saga was ongoing and Atherstone Town even got FIFA involved in a bid to speed up the process, and get Wood to make his long-awaited Atherstone Town debut. However, Wood soon left the club, as the manager who bought him to the club, Daren Fulford was sacked, with new Atherstone Town manager Dale Belford releasing the player along with others in a bid to cut costs at the club.

Bolehall Swifts

Wood finally got his international clearance from FK Željezničar and in July 2010, Wood's old manager at Atherstone Town, Daren Fulford was named as new manager of Bolehall Swifts, and added Wood to his squad.